Ann has been a writer since junior high, but to
pay the bills she has waited tables, delivered newspapers, cleaned other
people’s houses, taught school, and had a stint as a secretary in a rock-n-roll
radio station. She also worked as a 911 operator and a police dispatcher.
Her fiction began to win awards during her college days. Since then she’s
published several short stories, novels, and novellas. She’s always reading and
always writing, but even if she never sold another story, Ann would not stop
writing. For her it’s a necessity, like breathing. Most of the time, it even
keeps her sane.
pay the bills she has waited tables, delivered newspapers, cleaned other
people’s houses, taught school, and had a stint as a secretary in a rock-n-roll
radio station. She also worked as a 911 operator and a police dispatcher.
Her fiction began to win awards during her college days. Since then she’s
published several short stories, novels, and novellas. She’s always reading and
always writing, but even if she never sold another story, Ann would not stop
writing. For her it’s a necessity, like breathing. Most of the time, it even
keeps her sane.
No matter who dares you, no matter what lures
you, do not go in the spooky old house…
you, do not go in the spooky old house…
When a small planes crashes behind Jase’s rural home, the ghost of the pilot
begins to haunt him. Jase can’t figure out what to do until the day he sees his
classmate, Stevie-girl, enter the legendary haunted house. That’s when he
decides if anyone can help him solve the mystery, she’s the one.
Q&A With the Author:
1.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing? I care for my invalid
father. I also read a lot, and watch movies with my husband.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing? I care for my invalid
father. I also read a lot, and watch movies with my husband.
2. What would you say is your
interesting writing quirk? I like to get
up around 4 a.m. so I can write in the quiet darkness before dawn.
interesting writing quirk? I like to get
up around 4 a.m. so I can write in the quiet darkness before dawn.
3. Do you have any suggestions to help
budding authors become better writers? If so, what are they? I think in order
to write, one must be a reader … I love to read OUTSIDE the genre in which I
write. My other tip–one I have trouble following–is to let your first draft
be a first draft. Don’t worry about edits until the second draft.
budding authors become better writers? If so, what are they? I think in order
to write, one must be a reader … I love to read OUTSIDE the genre in which I
write. My other tip–one I have trouble following–is to let your first draft
be a first draft. Don’t worry about edits until the second draft.
4. Where do you get information and
ideas for your books? Ideas come from
everywhere. Some of my books are autobiographical, but some are total fiction.
One of my best sellers (Stutter Creek), began with an idea from a news article
in our local paper.
ideas for your books? Ideas come from
everywhere. Some of my books are autobiographical, but some are total fiction.
One of my best sellers (Stutter Creek), began with an idea from a news article
in our local paper.
5. What do you think makes a good
story? I think a story is only as good
as the characters. If I don’t care about them, I won’t keep reading (or writing).
story? I think a story is only as good
as the characters. If I don’t care about them, I won’t keep reading (or writing).
6. Tell us about your favorite summer
vacation? Or what do you like to do in the summer? Summer vacations when I was
a kid meant going to visit my dear grandparents for a week. Now, for summer
vacations, I like to visit places I’ve never been before. One of the best trips
was to a haunted hotel in Savannah, Georgia!
vacation? Or what do you like to do in the summer? Summer vacations when I was
a kid meant going to visit my dear grandparents for a week. Now, for summer
vacations, I like to visit places I’ve never been before. One of the best trips
was to a haunted hotel in Savannah, Georgia!